A Lyric – That Happily will no longer be Used

A Lyric – That Happily will no longer be Used

Lore says that the ancient Bards could raise welts on the faces of their enemies just by using the magic and power of words. I rarely write political songs but sometimes the energy of the moment just gets to me and a song is the only way I can let off steam. Only Human was one, Pagan Ways and Tomb of the King were another two. I’m so glad that my most recent political song, written about the UK Government’s plans to sell of England’s forests, will now no longer be recorded. Yesterday they announced they are scrapping the idea. I never entirely trust politicians so I’ll be watching closely, but on this occasion common sense and people power have won, and although the other parties are now chasing Cameron down calling out ‘U turn’ etc, I will give him the benefit of the doubt and say thank you.

However…

Just in case they decide that, while we aren’t looking, to implement an equally idiotic forestry scheme, I’ve decided to print the lyrics of the song what would have been flying around the internet. It’s an angry song, because I was angry when it was written. “If you thought that we would do nothing, you’ve misunderstood…”

Terrific news for the UK but sadly we still have the public forestry sell off looming in Ireland. The worst here is how commercial forestry pollutes our water while harvesting and maintenance by public forestry is done carefully such as barriers to protect the water during harvesting.

Your Robin Hood imagery is interesting as many tales in Ireland tell of the Gaelic people here taking to the woods and forests and living a culture within them when the Normans arrived. It is from the woods that the Gaelic people attacked the Normans and later the various colonial battalions such as those sent by Elizabeth 1 and Cromwell.

I’m wondering if the Irish will take to the forests again if this sell of happens.

Do not be ashamed and try to justify your lyrics, we all feel the need to say something about whats happening in this land and the state of things. I can’t wait for another album of yours to be released..Any chance of playing up North some where close to Bradford matbe 🙂

I’ll be honest and say that I don’t wholly hold out on the promise that the forests are “safe”. Just because they won’t be sold out to private people won’t protect them – if you halt the care and forest husbandry then “initiatives” can be easily introduced.

Far better perhaps would be a commitment to protect and preserve and to ensure that the forests will be properly safe, enshrined in policy (and law) for their continued protection.

I forgot to add though Damh – some excellent lyrics, that even on other contentious subjects will still be valid.
Don’t lose them just yet… Robin Hood and the Knights of Avalon will still need to remain vigilant over the green fields of this England.

This is also apt here in my state of Michigan; we have invasive species killing our fish, miners eager to destroy ecology for a bit of copper (which will also possibly pollute the local water), chemical companies dumping their runoff and pollutants into our waters, and our forests are dying around us to ash borer infestations due to firewood sales and unscrupulous consumers. We need more rallying cries like this one! Thank you for writing such a beautiful song!